Page 5 - Japan

Japan to raise visa fees after 48 years, match US and Europe rates

Japan plans to raise visa and tourist fees from 2026, citing low rates compared with the US and Europe, even as inbound tourism hits record highs

What to expect for Japan's economy under Sanae Takaichi, its 1st female PM

Share prices have soared recently in Tokyo on hopes that conservative Japanese lawmaker Sanae Takaichi, who was chosen on Tuesday to be Japan's first female prime minister, will double down on market-friendly policies, including hefty spending on defense and cheap credit. The benchmark Nikkei 225 share index climbed close to the symbolically important 50,000 level, gaining 0.7 per cent to 49,517.57. Takaichi, a motorbike and heavy metal enthusiast, prevailed in a lower house parliamentary ballot that gave her 237 votes, above the 233 votes required to win. Here's what might be expected from what has been dubbed Sanaenomics: Inflation and wages are the top concerns ----------------------------------------------- Increases in consumer prices have surpassed the Bank of Japan's 2 per cent target range at 2.5 per cent to 3 per cent. So the central bank is gradually raising rates from their longstanding level near or below zero. Wages remain near the level they were at 30 years ago, onl

PM Modi congratulates Sanae Takaichi on becoming Japan's new prime minister

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday congratulated Sanae Takaichi on her election as Japan's prime minister and said he looked forward to working closely to further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two nations. Takaichi, the first woman prime minister of Japan, succeeds Shigeru Ishiba. "Heartiest congratulations, Sanae Takaichi, on your election as the Prime Minister of Japan," Modi said in a post on X. "I look forward to working closely with you to further strengthen the India'?Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership. Our deepening ties are vital for peace, stability, and prosperity across the Indo-Pacific and beyond," Modi said.

Sanae Takaichi becomes Japan's first woman PM after parliamentary vote

She secured 237 votes in the more powerful lower house, bringing her four votes above the majority line needed to confirm her victory

Japan's parliament set to elect Sanae Takaichi as nation's first female PM

Japan's parliament is set to elect ultraconservative Sanae Takaichi as the country's first female prime minister on Tuesday, one day after her struggling party struck a coalition deal with a new partner that would pull her governing bloc further to the right. Takaichi will replace Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, ending a three-month political vacuum and wrangling since the Liberal Democratic Party's disastrous election loss in July. Ishiba, who lasted only one year in office, resigned with his Cabinet earlier Tuesday, paving the way for his successor. The LDP's off-the-cuff alliance with the Osaka-based rightwing Japan Innovation Party, or Ishin no Kai, ensures her premiership in a vote later in the day because the opposition is not united. Takaichi's untested alliance is still short of a majority in both houses of parliament and they need to court other opposition groups to pass any legislation -- a risk that could make her government unstable and short-lived. Political stability i

Japan to accept UPI soon, making payments easier for Indian tourists

Indian tourists visiting Japan will soon be able to pay with UPI, making shopping, dining, and travel more convenient without cash or forex cards.

Asian shares rise on earnings optimism, US inflation seen as minor hurdle

Japan's Nikkei led Asia higher with a rise of 1.5 per cent encouraged by news the Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party have agreed to form a coalition government

Toshiba plans ₹3,232 cr investment to double output in Japan and India

Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation (Toshiba) on Friday announced its plan to invest 55 billion yen (around Rs 3,232 crore) by FY2027, aimed at doubling output capacity at its key facilities in Japan and India. Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation (Toshiba) has announced a significant expansion of its investment in the power transmission and distribution (T&D) equipment business, in response to accelerating global electricity demand, a company statement said. According to the statement, the company will invest a total of 55 billion yen by FY2027. This investment is expected to more than double combined production capacity at Toshiba's key facilities in Japan and India by FY2030, against FY2024 levels. This initiative builds on the 20-billion-yen investment announced in July 2024 for FY2024FY2026. With demand now projected to exceed initial forecasts, Toshiba has decided to invest an additional 35 billion yen in its Hamakawasaki Operations in Kawasaki, .

Former Japanese PM Murayama, known for 1995 wartime apology, dies at 101

Japan's former Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama, who was known for his 1995 Murayama statement apologising to Asian victims of his country's aggression, died Friday. He was 101. Murayama died at a hospital in his hometown Oita, southwestern Japan, according to a statement from Mizuho Fukushima, the head of Japan's Social Democratic Party. As head of what was then known as the Japan Socialist Party, Murayama led a coalition government from June 1994 to January 1996. The apology he issued as prime minister on Aug 15, 1995, marking the 50th anniversary of Japan's unconditional surrender ending World War II, is seen as Japan's main expression of remorse for its wartime and colonial past. It has since been endorsed by all prime ministers until nationalist Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stopped apologising in 2013. Murayama had criticised growing attempts by nationalist lawmakers to discredit the apology for forced prostitution by citing the lack of official wartime documents specifically ..

Asian shares retreat after worries over bank lending pull Wall St lower

Asian shares skidded Friday following a retreat on Wall Street driven by concerns over banks' loan portfolios. US futures and oil prices also fell, while the price of gold climbed to over $4,383 an ounce as Washington and Beijing swapped harsh words over trade. Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 1.3% to 47,646.31, tracking US losses. Uncertainty over the choice of a new prime minister has also weighed on investor sentiment. Conservative lawmaker Sanae Takaichi was elected to head the ruling Liberal Democratic Party but last week's collapse of its coalition with the Buddhist-backed Komeito cast doubt over whether she would garner enough support in the lower house of parliament to prevail in a vote expected next week. Takaichi has led efforts to form a new alliance with the Osaka-based Japan Innovation Party, which would improve her chances of becoming Japan's first female prime minister. In Chinese markets, shares fell as trade tensions with Washington intensified. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index

NTT Data partners with NPCI to enable UPI payments for Indians in Japan

The partnership marks UPI's first entry into an East Asian market and aims to make digital transactions easier for Indian tourists while boosting Japan's cashless economy

In Japan, flu cases soar past 6,000 as authorities declare epidemic

Japan has declared a nationwide influenza epidemic after infections surged five weeks earlier than usual, with more than 6,000 people hospitalised and over 100 schools shut

Yen rebounds as Japan coalition falters, gold shines above $4,000

Japan's yen was jolted out of its slide and the Nikkei dropped 1% on news the Komeito party was quitting its coalition with the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)

Japan's Komeito exits ruling coalition citing concerns over corruption

The head of Japan's Komeito says it is leaving the ruling coalition headed by the Liberal Democratic Party due to concerns over corruption. The decision announced Friday by Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito deals a serious blow to the Liberal Democrats, who last weekend chose ultra-conservative lawmaker Sanae Takaichi as its leader. Takaichi could still become Japan's first female prime minister, but the departure of the Buddhist-backed Komeito will compel the Liberal Democrats to find at least one other coalition partner in order to stay in power. The ruling coalition had already lost its majorities in both houses of parliament. The lower house is due to vote on a new prime minister later this month.

Japan's top bank CEOs back AI while easing fears over possible job losses

In Japan, where the financial sector employs hundreds of thousands of people, the conversation over AI and its impact on work is picking up pace

PayPay buys 40% stake in Binance Japan to deepen its digital payments push

PayPay has played a role in encouraging Japanese consumers to move away from a long-standing preference for cash by offering rebates on payments through its mobile app

Japan's new PM Sanae Takaichi faces early test as coalition talks stall

While the most likely outcome is that the two parties will reach agreement in the coming days, the delay shows the level of reservations Komeito has over Takaichi's right-wing views

Yen tumbles on likely new leader, euro slides after French PM resigns

The dollar rose 1.8 per cent to 150.1 yen, its highest since August. If sustained, that would be its biggest daily gain since May 12

Haryana CM Saini in Japan to attract investments, deepen ties in tech, mfg

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Monday reached Tokyo seeking to attract investments, deepen cooperation in technology and manufacturing, and showcase the state as a leading destination for global investors. Saini's three-day official visit, from October 6-8, aims to strengthen economic, industrial and cultural collaboration between Haryana and Japan. He held discussions with Miyaji Takuma, State Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), and Koga Yuichiro, State Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry, to explore avenues of cooperation in trade, investment and technology transfer. Chief Minister Saini, in a series of posts on X, gave information about his meetings. "Held a fruitful meeting with Mr. Miyaji Takuma, State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Government of Japan. We discussed opportunities to further deepen economic and cultural ties between Haryana and Japan. "I extended an invitation to him to join us at the International Gita Mahotsav in November 2025, a .

Haryana CM to visit Japan from Oct 6-8 to boost investment, trade ties

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini will visit Japan from October 6 to 8, aiming to strengthen economic, industrial and cultural collaboration between his state and the country. The visit also seeks to attract investments, deepen cooperation in technology and manufacturing, and showcase Haryana as a leading destination for global investors. Saini will arrive in Tokyo on the morning of October 6 and begin his official engagements with high-level meetings at Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, said a state government statement. He will hold discussions with Miyaji Takuma, State Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), and Koga Yuichiro, State Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry, to explore avenues of cooperation in trade, investment and technology transfer. In the afternoon, Saini will participate in a series of programmes at the Embassy of India, Tokyo. The chief minister will also meet senior representatives of JETRO, AIS